Indonesia’s BRICS membership will enhance its role as a bridge between Asia, Africa and Latin America
Indonesia’s formal inclusion as a full member of BRICS signals a strategic shift in its foreign and economic policies. As the world’s largest archipelagic nation and Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Indonesia stands to gain significantly from BRICS membership, not only in trade and investment but also in diplomatic influence.
At the heart of Indonesia’s interest in BRICS lies its ambition to diversify global partnerships, secure alternative financial resources, and strengthen economic and political ties, particularly with China. Given China’s dominant role within BRICS, Indonesia’s participation would institutionalize economic collaboration between the two nations while simultaneously promoting South-South partnerships.
By joining BRICS, Indonesia will gain a formal channel for improving trade relations, negotiating more favorable export conditions, and tapping into preferential deals within the bloc. Reducing reliance on Western markets can bolster Indonesia’s supply chain resilience and widen its customer base among BRICS economies. China, one of the bloc’s key members, already plays a pivotal role as Indonesia’s largest trading partner.
BRICS membership can also fast-track Indonesia’s path to industrial advancement. Indonesia’s nickel reserves, among the world’s largest, are crucial for electric vehicle battery production. As China dominates the global EV supply chain, deeper cooperation under BRICS will allow Indonesia to move beyond raw material exports and develop its own battery and EV industries. This aligns with Indonesia’s ban on nickel ore exports, implemented in 2020, to boost domestic processing. Through joint ventures and technology transfers with China and other BRICS nations, Indonesia can become a major player in the global green technology supply chain.
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FAJAR HIRAWAN | China Daily Global | Updated: 2025-03-17 08:00
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202503/17/WS67d76628a310c240449db0f4.html